Totley Moor Fell Race 2014

4th race in the last few weeks, so starting to feel a bit easier when I'm racing now - unlike my first race of the season, Masson Hill. Painful!

5 of us from the Belper Harriers headed up to Totley last night, including Steve's very first Fell Race and an ever enthusiastic Chris doing his 3rd. First race of the year too for Saul and Graham.

Loved the race and ran well finishing 15th out of 266 so top 5%!

More importantly, I finished 40 secs quicker than my time 2 years ago but reading my blog, that was my first race of the year, so that stacks up. I lost about 5 places on the descents, and lost time on the second climb as my calves were threatening to cramp up - probably due to me not stretching them at all after last Tuesday's Ilkeston race where they felt pretty trashed after.

Got away without full on cramp but it did make me slow up on the second climb - still don't think I'd have gained any places on the guys in front mind.

Great night then again.

Results here
Strava fly through here !!

BDL Summer League Race, Ilkeston, 5:57/mile 69ft

Well, certainly not my usual elevation profile !!!

Nice warm evening and lots of Belper Harriers down tonight. Legs felt solid after the Lakes at the weekend but the sheer 'flatness' of this was a little daunting - I find that in TT's or flat races once I max out my breathing, I really struggle to get it under control again. With this in mind I set off at a 'comfortable race' pace. Out of breath, but not maxing out! Thankfully, I held this pace for the rest of the race and even had a sprint finish taking two runners finishing Top 10%. Results not yet out. 5:57/mile is fast for me, but then again - that was flat for me! Be nice to go faster next time as I really fell like I'm just getting back into this racing thing.

31st out of 308
Strava link here
Results will be here

Burbage Skyline 2014

Second time I've raced this.
Loved it again.
Write up from last year here

About 310 starters this year as opposed to 360 last year as it's been taken out of the Gritstone series as it's already too popular.

I started slower this year and got held up more at the start, but I was seriously in oxygen deficit last year all the way round so felt that going off slower would help me have a stronger second half. From Mother Cap area I started picking up speed taking around 12 people I think from then onwards. It certainly felt like I'd ran a very strong second half and probably faster overall, but my time was actually a minute slower !

Never mind - you can't compete in a fell race and worry about times. Great night and Andy's first time too. Felt good after

Results 2014 here
43rd out of 310 in 46:42
Results 2013 here
51st out of 358 in 45:38

Masson Hill Race

My first race of any kind in I don't know how long (Sept 13 ?) due to various injuries and niggles, but it was great to get along to this fave local race.

Masson Hill Race Route (slightly different from 2013)

Straight up and down through small tracks in Bluebell woods - it's gorgeous. Probably my favourite race from last year - I wasn't expecting much but it certainly packs in a lot of climbing. I did feel guilty though in not quite telling Simon, Andy and Chris quite how hard it was !

I could certainly tell I'd not raced (or done Chaingangs) over the winter so the climbs were a lot slower than normal, but it didn't stop me enjoying it !

15th out of 96
Full results here
Strava link here
Strava flythru here (AMAZING !)